Page 119 of the programme for Government commits to ensuring transparency to protect and to enhance democracy.

Given recent allegations concerning a member of An Bord Pleanála, does the Taoiseach agree that the deputy chairperson of the board was correct in stepping aside without prejudice pending investigation of these allegations? If the Taoiseach agrees, as I assume he does, how can he reconcile this with the Tánaiste continuing in office while, following an investigation by An Garda Síochána, a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions? Is it the Taoiseach's position, as people can be forgiven for believing at this stage, that depending on who one is in Irish society and what position one holds, different rules and standards apply?

I do not accept the basic proposition that the Deputy has put forward in respect of what has happened at An Bord Pleanála in terms of every live file, for example, being considered. I dealt with this earlier in a reply. The individual concerned - the deputy chairman - has acknowledged what he has said was inadvertent, but there are other issues. The Minister has appointed a senior counsel to look into those investigations. I do not think that case, in terms of the context of An Bord Pleanála, is comparable to the other issues that the Deputy has raised.